Nextgov

DHS Wants to Offer Alternative Contracts to Silicon Valley Startups

Traditional procurement takes too long for the new Silicon Valley office, a new DHS notice says.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Board Starts to Tackle Military Retirement Reform

Agency that runs the government’s 401(k)-style benefit ramps up to auto-enroll new troops beginning in 2018.

Management

Don’t Over Collaborate

At a certain point you need to stop and make a decision.

Nextgov

MEGABYTE Act Seeks to Slash Software Waste

Short for “Making Electronic Government Accountable By Yielding Tangible Efficiencies," the bill requires agencies to assemble comprehensive inventories of software licenses.

Route Fifty

Miami’s Grim Water-Logged Future; New Mexico City Faces Push to Dissolve

Also: Denver spends comparatively little to ease homelessness and Maine town tries to tackle heroin abuse.

Management

2020 Census Called Vulnerable to Online Fraud

Bureau-commissioned report cites motives ranging from entertainment to anti-government protest.

Management

Pentagon, Treasury Top List of Agencies Struggling with GAO Recommendations

Senators cite Government Accountability Office and watchdogs as best source of ideas for ways to save money.

Management

NASA is Now Accepting Online Applications For Astronauts

Being selected doesn’t necessarily guarantee a ticket to space.

Defense

Dunford: New Defense Staff Needed to Meet Transregional Threats

Today’s system of regional combatant commanders is ill-suited for broader challenges, Joint Chiefs chair says.

Defense

Bowe Bergdahl's Fate Will Be Decided by a General Court-Martial

The accused deserter, held for years by the Taliban, could face life in prison if convicted.

Defense

Obama: ISIS Losing Territory, Influence As American Troops Push South in Syria

Speaking at the Pentagon, the president says an expanded war effort — ordered before the Paris attack — is well underway.

Management

The FAA Will Require $5 Registration Fee for Drones

Drone companies are expecting big sales for the holidays, but the government just gave them a lump of coal.

Management

EPA and Energy Department Leaders Hail Paris Climate Accord

McCarthy and Moniz echo State Department on impact on private markets.

Nextgov

Why the Federal Government Tracks Visitors to Dot-Govs

Analytics.usa.gov keeps tabs on traffic to more than 4,000 government websites.

Oversight

Spending Bill Remains Up in the Air as New Shutdown Deadline Approaches

The government is only funded through Wednesday, and the tax extenders deal is unfinished.

Management

No One Is Buying Books Written By Presidential Candidates

Writing one seems the price of entry into the race—but that doesn’t mean it’ll find an audience.

Defense

Ladies, Join the Military For Equal Pay

The corporate world could learn a few lessons from the US military.

Management

Transition Teamwork: Helping New Leaders Make Smart Choices

How to streamline complex decision processes.

Oversight

Play of the Day: 'W' Examines the Republican Presidential Field

Will Ferrell reprises his impression on Saturday Night Live to deconstruct the GOP race.

Nextgov

Hackers Pocket IBM Secrets in China, File Maine Health Records Elsewhere, and Defraud Elephant Bar Diners

Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.